Apr 19, 2016 | By Kira
Resin 3D printer and materials manufacturer Formlabs has today announced the release of Dental SG, a biocompatible 3D printing resin that will allow dental professionals to push the boundaries of digital dentistry right from their desktops.
Dental SG, a certified biocompatible Class 1 material, was designed specifically for creating high-precision surgical guides directly from 3D models, dramatically reducing turnaround times and costs associated with traditional dental surgeries. Made for use with Formlabs’ highly rated Form 2 SLA 3D printer, Dental SG is marketed as the first commercially available biocompatible resin for desktop 3D printing.
Dental 3D printing applications have been taking off recently, with many notable breakthroughs in the past year alone. From a university student who saved thousands of dollars by 3D printing his own ‘Orthoprint’ teeth aligners, to 3D printed teeth that kill mouth bacteria, it is becoming clear that 3D printing will help to dramatically improve our dental health while saving time and money.
Formlabs in particular has been working to make 3D printed digital dentistry a reality for as many patients as possible. Recently, the company revealed that dentists are already using the Form 2 3D printer to 3D print surgical guides, educational models, bleaching trays, retainers, bite guards, and other indispensable medical tools in as little as a few hours.
Other dentists, such as Dr. Travis Bellicchi of the Indiana University School of Dentistry, have turned to 3D printing for more even novel medical applications: using Formlabs 3D printers in his digital workflow, Dr. Bellicchi is creating accurate and customized dental prostheses. Most recently, he helped rebuild a cancer patient’s face.
With Dental SG Resin, Formlabs hopes to further expand the possibilities for dental 3D printing by making implant surgeries faster, more precise, and ultimately more comfortable for the patients themselves.
Biocompatible surgical guides are critical for dental implant surgeries. Because they are patient-specific, they allow dentists to practice the precise placement of implants before the actual surgery takes place, increasing the likelihood that the implant will be placed properly.
“In my clinical practice, I place implants with ease and efficiency using a surgical guide,” said Dr. Scherer, who has implemented Formlabs 3D printers into his private dental practice. “No more guessing, no more figuring it out as we go, only digital precision.”
A key advantage of Formlabs’ Dental SG is that it was designed specifically for desktop 3D printers—specifically, the $3,499 Form 2.
Whereas traditionally, 3D printing surgical guides has required larger-scale, professional 3D printers, which many dental laboratories do not have the budget nor the technical skill to operate, Dental SG allows even smaller dental labs to 3D print surgical guides affordably and on-demand. “The addition of Dental SG Resin is a game-changer,” said Dr. Scherer. “Gone are the days of the old-fashioned, gooey messy impression.”
In addition to announcing the launch of Dental SG, which is now available on Formlabs’ web store, the company has also introduced updated formulations of its Clear, Black, Flexible and Tough 3D printing resins, and has launched the Materials Manager, a digital tool for tracking resin consumption and tank usage. By constantly expanding and improving its 3D printing materials portfolio, Formlabs is working to provide its wide range of customers—from consumers to medical professionals—with the tools they need to produce high quality 3D printed solutions.
“When practitioners and researchers have the ability and access to develop incredibly precise tools for surgical applications, it opens up a new range of possibilities for the dental industry and for the medical science industry at large,” added Dávid Lakatos, Head of Product at Formlabs. “Formlabs is leading the way in helping to advance patient care by introducing solutions that enable personalized surgical planning and mass customization. Material innovation, like with the introduction of Dental SG, is a key driver in growing the adoption of digital dentistry powered by 3D printing.”
Watch the video below to see Dr. Michael Scherer discuss the possibilities and applications of 3D printed digital dentistry:
Posted in 3D Printing Materials
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